Giarrizzo Next Pelham School Superintendent

After an extensive search, Pelham Board of Education settled on an internal candidate for its next school superintendent. At its first regular meeting of 2013, school board president Lisa Kiernan announced Peter Giarizzo was unanimously selected for the district superintendent position. 

Giarrizzo is currently Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel. He will be formally appointed to this position at the January 28 school board meeting.

“Mr. Giarrizzo rose to the top from a stellar field of candidates, including four other finalists who are sitting superintendents in high performing school districts,” said Board President Lisa Kiernan.  “[he] will bring to this job a passion for excellence and a proven record of commitment to a rich educational experience for all students. He has a highly collaborative leadership style, exemplary listening and communication skills, and strong operational and fiscal capabilities. In selecting Mr. Giarrizzo, the Board has chosen a talented and experienced educational leader who is deeply dedicated to the district’s highest priority of academic excellence.”

Giarrizzo has been with Pelham Board of Education since 2011 when he assumed responsibility for the educational program of the District, including curriculum, instruction, and professional development and hiring. He has also chaired the mathematics task force, coordinated the evaluation of the social studies program by the Tri States Consortium, led the implementation of the new Common Core standards, and played a key role in developing and implementing the new teacher and principal annual professional performance review.  He has also worked with the Pelham Education Foundation on many of their pioneering grant initiatives, including the introduction of iPad technology in elementary classrooms.     

"Pelham has a talented faculty, staff and administration and a very supportive community. I look forward to working with all these stakeholders to begin the process of developing a long- term strategic plan that builds upon our track record of success," Giarrizzo was quoted in a district press release. "My short time in Pelham gives me the insight and knowledge of an internal candidate and the fresh perspective of an external candidate, both of which will be beneficial to me and the district as we plan for the future.”  

Giarrizzo was the unanimous choice of the Board after an extensive nationwide search conducted by the national search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates.  

According to information released by the school district on Monday, a total of 50 candidates from 14 states and the United Kingdom were identified from referrals, applications and recruitment; seventeen candidates, of whom sixteen are currently serving as superintendents, were recruited by the search consultants.  

Dr. Charles Wilson, who served as Superintendent of the Pelham Schools from 1996 to 2008, is serving as the interim superintendent until June.